Trailmakers Pioneers: Journey from Sandbox to Survival

Trailmakers has always strived to be the go-to sandbox vehicle builder for those seeking adventure. Over the past decade, we’ve collaborated with a vibrant community of passionate creators to craft a game where creativity knows no bounds. Our players thrive on building and sharing their innovative vehicles, free from constraints. Recognizing the potential for an even larger audience, we’ve worked tirelessly to make Trailmakers accessible to gamers who might not typically delve into sandbox adventures.

Our latest endeavor, Trailmakers 2.0 – Pioneers, seeks to broaden our reach, attracting fans of games like Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda, and Valheim. Pioneers introduces a new, free campaign in which players are tasked with saving the Froggits from the menacing Botnak robots looking to exploit their homeworld, Gregory.

We’ve incorporated a significant transformation in the form of resource gathering, block crafting, and refined PvE combat. This update promises an epic storyline, boasting over 20 hours of gameplay that surpasses any previous Trailmakers narratives.

To engage a more mainstream audience, we infused Trailmakers with elements inspired by the survival genre. This blending was no easy task—it demanded a full year of prototyping to carve out a clear vision.

One of the key features we wanted to integrate was resource gathering and block crafting, which we believed would open up endless possibilities within the game. While this might seem straightforward now, it was a complex journey involving stages where players risked losing blocks if vehicles were destroyed and managing block resources for individual creations rather than a shared arsenal.

Incorporating survival elements, we experimented with gameplay mechanics such as limited movement zones, where players needed to build power areas to operate their vehicles. This experimentation eventually birthed the fuel mechanic that players encounter in the game today.

Developing a coherent set of resources for block crafting was another significant hurdle. We wanted these resources to seamlessly fit with the existing block materials while enriching gameplay. The version you see today underwent numerous iterations, balancing feedback from both designers and artists to strike the right chord.

For Trailmakers to faithfully embody a survival game, initial ideas included creating land-grab mechanics. Players would construct power pylons to establish safe zones, with adventures outside reliant on limited battery power. This concept evolved into the current fueling system, with power zones reserved for NPC settlements.

Reflecting on our Airborne DLC experience, we knew that Pioneers needed a captivating world and storyline. Although initially planning a rich ecosystem with multiple species and even space exploration, we decided to focus our efforts to develop core elements that would enhance player experience.

Building on the missions from Airborne, we engineered a sophisticated mission system that chains story and gameplay events seamlessly. While we’ve only scratched the surface with Pioneers, we’re excited about expanding these missions in future updates.

After over two years of development, Trailmakers – Pioneers exemplifies how a live game can remain exciting for its community while attracting new players. It’s a dynamic evolution, maintaining relevance and fun for everyone involved.

Trailmakers by Flashbulb Games offers gamers a unique experience where endless creativity meets controlled mayhem across land, sea, and air. Dive into the expansive Pioneers campaign, complete missions, and battle BOTNAKs. With five dedicated sandbox maps, players can freely explore, experiment, and engage.

Empower your creativity with the builder, intuitively designed for both newcomers and seasoned engineers, allowing for endless customization. Battle through PvP scenarios with an array of 14 different weapon types, and experience the multiplayer’s chaotic harmony, engaging with up to eight players in community-driven challenges.

Trailmakers is, at its core, about doing whatever your heart desires in a world offering endless possibilities.